Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has jumped to the defence of his Manchester United counterpart Louis van Gaal.

Recent speculation has suggested that Van Gaal will lose his job if the Red Devils are beaten in either of their next two games against Stoke City and Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho the likely replacement.

However, despite United's run of six games without a victory and their early exits from the Champions League and League Cup, Wenger has insisted that a man of the 64-year-old's experience should command more respect.

"I personally have huge respect for Louis van Gaal and I think what is going on there is disrespectful," he told reporters.

"This guy has worked in football for 30 years and has delivered an unbelievable quality of work."

Van Gaal is due to speak to the media this afternoon ahead of United's trip to Stoke on Boxing Day.